Concrete is the most widely used man-made material in the world. As of 2006, about 7.5 cubic kilometres of concrete were made each year—more than one cubic metre for every person on Earth.
This activity involves pupils making small bars of cement and/or concrete either from pre-prepared mortar mix or making their own and then testing both the physical properties such as strength, and some chemical properties such as carbonation.
The activity was devised using ‘Prompt Natural Cement’ which sets extremely rapidly – in about 5 minutes. It can be carried out perfectly successfully using ordinary, Portland cement but the process will take a little longer.
